Daniel Ricciardo pinned his early exit from qualifying on “bad luck” as he dropped out in Q2 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo and Red Bull pinpointed the event at the Hungaroring as a circuit at which its package should thrive, opting to take power unit penalties last weekend at Hockenheim.
But Ricciardo only narrowly scraped through a drying Q1, having run Soft tyres, and was caught out by the deteriorating weather during Q2.
Ricciardo was one of the last drivers to take on wet tyres and had to back off when Williams’ Lance Stroll spun into the barriers at the exit of Turn 9.
Hungarian Grand Prix: Qualifying result | Saturday Gallery
Ricciardo was left down in 13th spot, though returned to the track in the closing stages to move himself up a position, in front of Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg.
“I think more bad luck than anything,” he said.
“For sure we took a risk in Q1 using the Soft. I think in hindsight for sure we go on the Ultras just to be safe, that was too close.
“But we did have a Soft to use for Q1 and in dry conditions that was always the plan. It’s not like it was against the plan but it was closer than we wanted it to be.
“Q2 the rain came, so the first guy on track was getting the best track and it just got worse and worse.
“So not only to be far down in the pack but also you needed to get that first lap in and Stroll spun right in front of me so I had to abort that lap.
“Then the following lap was too wet for the Inters so the last sector was just trying to survive.
“We had to put the extreme wets on but the track was nowhere near where it was compared to the beginning.
“First lap had to count and we had the guy in front so we were just unlucky.”
Looking ahead to the race, Ricciardo added: “Tomorrow I have a fight on my hands starting 12th I think. That’s going to be interesting.
“I’ll sleep tonight and I’ll come tomorrow fired up and pull off some clean moves, and if not, use some guys as my brakes.”
